Latest Primrose Awards are Presented

The CiaO Foundation is pleased to announce the continuing presentation of its first Primrose Awards with two more nominees receiving their awards in October.

John

John was nominated by the Margaret Carey Foundation for a Primrose Award, for the many challenges he has overcome and the few he is still working on. Expelled from school at 16 and given a 2-year supervision order, John started injecting speed a year later. This became a major part of his life until he was 42 and, with the help of a local recovery programme (The Bridge Project), took on and met the challenge of getting clean.

John also took on new challenges and opportunities, as part of his recovery programme, attending the “bike club” at The Bridge Project becoming a regular volunteer as well as helping others learn to fix their bikes. It was through his efforts here that John first connected with the Margaret Carey Foundation (MCF). This excellent organisation delivers bike maintenance workshops in prisons and the community across the North of England. Rescuing scrapped bicycles and wheelchairs, using their workshops scheme, prisoners refurbish them to a high standard and they are then distributed to communities in need in the UK and developing countries.

John began volunteering regularly with MCF in November 2014 and has shown to be an exemplary member of staff, going above and beyond, always arriving early and staying late to get a job done. Since turning his life around he has been accepting more challenges, finding the opportunities within and also helping others with their challenges. His latest challenge is taking on new learning and training to become a qualified bike mechanic.

Presenting the Award

Inspired by John’s story and nomination, the CiaO Foundation is pleased and proud to present him with a Primrose Award providing him access to City & Guilds Level 2 tuition in Bike Mechanics, which he will complete early next year.

MCF Chair of Trustees, Ian McDonald Presents John (right) with his Primrose Award on behalf of the CiaO Foindation.